Ciecuit control apparatus for



April 12, 1932. L, BROWNELL 1,853,798

CIRCUIT CONTROL APPARATUS FOR FLOODLIGH'IS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 7,1950 2 Sheets-Sheet April 12, 1932. J. 1.. BROWNELL CIRCUIT CONTROLAPPARATUS FOR FLOODLIGHTS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. '7, 1950 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ammo H 00 ,ILfB OW ICH Patented Apr. 12, 1932 UNITEDSTATES JAMES L. BROWNELL, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN CIRCUIT CONTROLAPPARATUS FOR- FLOODLIGHTS AND THE LIKE Application filed February 7,1930. Serial No. 426,726.

My invent-i011 relates to improvements in multiple electric circuitcontrol means and which although capable of other utilization, will beespecially adapted for use in the control of flood lights for eflectingmany and varied blendings of colors.

Briefly -stated,-the invention has for its primary object to provide anovel and improved device of this kind which comprehends a singlecircuit control element adapted to variably and simultaneously controltwo or more of a plurality of circuits at one and the same time, andincorporating an actuating means whereby the circuits will be energizedin a predetermined sequence.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of thecharacter specified, a novel circuit control element whereby a pluralityof circuits will be automatically and successively closed in originaland reverse sequence.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of this kind,a traversing multiple circuit control means and actuating meanstherefor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple circuitcontrol mechanism for flood lights and the like, which incorporates amovable control element and circuit wire carrying means for maintainingthe circuit wires out of the path of said control element.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a multiple circuitcontrol mechanism having a movable control element and support therefor,and carrying means for resistance elements, (which are interposed in theseveral circuits) said carrying means being associated with portions ofthe movable clement support.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kindwhich is very simple in construction, relatively inexpensive ofmanufacture and which will be highly eflicient in practical use since itcomprehends a minimum number of parts of durable construction,thesebeing co-related in such a way as to reduce wear and tear to a minimum.

The invention also resides in certain novel features of construction,combination and arrangement of the various parts and in certain modes ofoperation,all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart upon reference to the accompanying 55 drawings in connection withthe detailed description thereof to follow.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a top plan view of a circuit control device embodying myinvention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view thereof;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view with certain parts shown in crosssection;

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram showing the circuits; and,

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the carriage actuating shaft.

Referring specifically to the drawings, wherein the same referencecharacters have been used to designate the same parts in all views,numeral 2 denotes what is preferably an elongated base of sheet metalhaving down turned end supporting portions 2 down turned supportingflanges 2 at the sides, and up turned tongues 3 intermediate theportions 2".

The tongues 3 at each side of the base carry substantially channelshaped bars 4 of insulating material which extend throughout asubstantial portion of the length of the base, these being secured totongues 3 by means of screws 5.

Strips 6 of L-shaped cross section are held seated in recesses in thetop and inner side surfaces of insulation bars at by means of hollowrivets 7 which carry the wires 8. The L- shaped contact strips 6 arearranged in spaced series along each bar 4 and-are connected, each toone side of a flood light lamp as indicated in Figure 4: by means of thewire 8 which extends down through one of the rivets 7 as indicated inFigures 1 and 2. As shown the wires 8 are carried lengthwise of the base2 and extend through transverse recesses formed by cross cleats 9supported by the base 2 between the tongues 3 and which are held inplace by the lower or flanged side of the channel members 4. In thisway, the wires 8 are kept out of the path of the circuitclosing member10 which is disposed thereabove and mounted for movement lengthwise ofthe base.

Mounted upon the base 2 are bearing mem bers 11, 12 which are spaced inthe direction of the length of the base and carry the supporting orguide rod 13 of the slidable circuit closer 10, in addition to its wormdrive shaft 14 which latter projects through th bearing 12 and may havea coupling 15 for establishing a driving connection with the reductiongearing of a powerunitbut which may be supported upon the adjacentsurface oi base 2 which is denoted at 2;

The bearings members 11, 12 have opposed oflset cars 11, 12 at each sidewhich are adapted to carry the securing screws 16 of the substantiallyI-shaped insulation bars 17 which carry the separate resistance coils18, of which there is one for each of the flood lights -A,B, C, D, E, F,G, and H as shown in the wiring diagram, of Figure 4.

Each coil 18 has one end anchored as at 18 (Figure 2) to one of the topflanges of its insulating-material carrying bar 17 while the otherend isconnected to a binding post 20, circuited as shown in Figure l, in oneside-:21'of'an electric circuit,it being noted that the floodlights A,B, C, etc. are in the other side 22 of said circuit. The posts 20 areall in circuit through strip 20.

It will be observed that there are two rivets for each of the L-shapedcontact strips 6. As-has already been mentioned one rivet of eachstrip'carries and forms aguide-like conduit for the wire 8 leading-toone of the flood'lightsA, B, etc. in line 22. The other rivet-ot'eachstrip 6 may be used to guide the insulated connection from coil 18 tothe side- 21of the circuit of strip 20 is not used.

The circuit closing-member 10 is provided with longitudinal boresreceiving the shafts 13, 1 1 and. there is a lug 23 adapted to engagethe endless spiral groove 2 l of what has been termed the worm shaft il.

Particular attention is directed to the groove 24 which is shcrwn asprovided with two spiral flights, one being of what might be termed aright hand thread and the other of left hand thread,these flights beingdesignated as at 2% and 24*". Since the two groove flights areconnected, thecontact memberlO will be driven back and forth between thepairs-of insulating bars 6, 17 which c rry, respectively, the series ofL-shaped contact strip-s6 and resistance coils 18 of the circuits of therespective flood lights, A, B, C, etc.

Secured to the baseof the member 10 by means ofscrews 26 is a crossblock 27 which is recessed to seat the bottom of the member b andcarries the contact or bridging n 1emhers-28 which are secured to the oras block 27 by screws 29. Thecontact members 28 havereverted portions 30arra ed to suecessively engage the strips 6- and lateral portions 31adapted to engage the bare convolutions of the coils 18 upon theI-shaped bars 17.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the device will beapparent to those skilled in tl c art but may be summarized as followsAssuming the circuit closer 10 to be in the position shown in Figures 1and 2, the motor 35 (Figure l) is started causing the carriage to movetoward the left (Figure 1). This means that the flow of current from thesource o'f'supply 36 through line 21 will pass in undiminished strengthdirectly to the flood light H in the other side 22 otthe circuit.However, respecting the flood light D whose contact strip 6 is directlyopposite the contact strip of flood light 11 (and whose resistance coils18 are also in opposition to one another shown),will be but dimlyilluminated at first for the reason that the current from the supplyline 21 mustflow through the coil 18, bridging strip 28 and contactstrip 6 before reaching the line 22 containing the flood light D.However, as the member 10 moves in its leftward direction the resistancein circuit H increases whereas the resistance in circuit D decreases, itbeing noted that the right end of the H circuit coil 18 is connected toline 21 whereas the left end of the i circuit coil is connected thereto.Of course, the flood lights D and H will be of different colors,*;hisbeing true of the other flood lights. Manifestly, many and varied coloreffects will be produced as the circuit closing member 10 moves in itsleftward path with its bridging member 28 closing the circuits of twolamps simultaneously by means of the bridging elements 28 wherebythrough the coils 18 to progressively dim one flood light andprogressively intensify the light of another lamp.

hen the lug 23 of the carrier 10 reaches the leftmost portion or end ofgroove flight 24; it is automatically carried into the oppositelyspiralcd groove flight 2 1 which causes the member 10 to -move towardsthe right again producing a reverse control of the floor light circuitsand the resulting color eflects and changes in inverse sequence.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 13 A multiple circuit control mechanismcomprising a base, a movable member, supporting and guide means for saidmember carried by said base, separate pairs of resistance and'contactelements arranged in spaced series paralleling the path of movement ofsaid movable member, each pair being adapted to be included in a circuitto provide a gap therein, and bridging means can ried by said movableelement for connecting said contactand resistance elements.

2. A multiple circuit control mechanism comprising a base, a movablemember, supporting and guide means for said member carried by said base,separate resistance and contact elements disposed at each side of saidmovable member and arranged in spaced lineal series paralleling the pathof movement of said member, the adjacent resistance and contact elementsof each series being adapted to be included in separate circuits toprovide gaps therein, and separate bridging means carried by oppositesides of said movable elem'ent for bridging the adjacent contact andresistance elements to close the gaps therebetvveen.

3. A multiple circuit control mechanism comprising a base, a movablemember, supporting and guide means for said member carried by said base,a series of spaced resistance elements and a laterally spaced series ofspaced contact elements adjacent the path of movement of said movablemember and paralleling the same, corresponding ones of said resistanceand contact elements being adapted to be included in one of a pluralityof circuits to provide a gap therein, bridging means for said gaps andbeing carried by said movable element, and motivating means for saidmovable element.

4-. The combination set forth in claim 3, and said motivating meanshaving a rev-ersing drive connection with said movable memher forautomatically effecting a predetermined movement thereof in oppositedirections.

5. The combination set forth in claim 2 and said resistance elements atone side of said movable member having circuit connec tion pointslineally spaced from the circuit connection points of the resistanceelements at the opposite side of said movable member.

A multiple circuit control mechanism comprising a base, a movablemember, sup porting an actuating means for said member carried by saidbase, resistance and contact units carried by said base and adjacent thepath of said movable member, said resistance and contact units beingspaced from one another to provide a circuit gap, and separat ing cleatsfor circuit Wires disposed out of the path of movement of said movablememher.

7. In a multiple circuit control device, a base, spaced bearings mountedupon said base, a slidable circuit control element, a supporting guidetherefor carried by said bearings, actuating means for said circuitcontrol element carried by said bearings, resistance unit carrying barsat each side of said guide and spaced therefrom, said bearings providinga detachable support for said bars, resistance units carried by saidbars and arranged in spaced lineal series, opposed resistance units ofthe respective bars having circuit take-off leads at lineally spacedpoints, a contact carrying bar adjacent each of said resistance unitcarrying bars, spaced contacts on r said contact strip carrying baradjacent the respective resistance units of said aforementioned bars,and corresponding ones of said contact strips and resistance units beingadapted to be disposed in the same electrical circuit and providing agap therein, and bridging means carried at each side of said circuitcontrol element for closing the gaps between the respective resistanceunits and contact strips.

8. In a multiple circuit control device, a

base, spaced bearings mounted upon said base, a slidable circuit controlelement, a supporting guide therefor carried by said bearings, actuatingmeans for said circuit control element carried by said bearings,resistance unit carrying bars at each side of said guide and spacedtherefrom, said bearings providing a detachable support for said bars,resistance units carried by said bars and arranged in spaced linealseries, opposed resistance units of the respective bars having circuittakeoff leads at lineally spaced points, a contact carrying bar adjacenteach of said resistance unit carrying bars, spaced contact strips onsaid contact bars adjacent the respective resistance units of saidaforementioned bars, and corresponding ones of said contact strips andresistance units being adapted to be dis posed in the same electricalcircuit and providing a gap therein, bridging means carried at each sideof said circuit control element for closing the gaps between therespective resistance units and contact strips, a series of upstandingears at each side of said base and supporting said contact-carryingbars, and transversely disposed Wire guiding cleats supported by saidbase beneath said contact carrying bars intermediate opposed ones ofsaid ears.

9. In a multiple circuit control device, a base, spaced bearings mountedupon said base, a slidable circuit control element, a sup porting guidetherefor carried by said bearings, actuating means for said circuitcontrol element carried by said bearings, resistance unit carrying barsat each side of said guide and spaced therefrom, said bearings providinga detachable support for said bars, resistance units carried by saidbars and arranged in spaced lineal series, opposed resistance units ofthe respective bars having circuit takeoff leads at lineally spacedpoints, a contact carrying bar adjacent each of said resist ance unitcarrying bars, spaced contact strips on said contact bars adjacent therespective resistance units of said aforementioned bars, andcorresponding ones of said contact strips and resistance units beingadapted to be disposed in the same electrical circuit and providing agap therein, bridging means carried at each side of said circuit controlelement for closing the gaps between the respective resistance units andcontact strips, and hollow rivets extending through said contactcarrying bars and contact strips thereon for securingithe latter andproviding circuit Wire takeofi connections and conduits for suchwires.

10. In a multiple circuit rheostat control device' for flood-la1npsystems or the like, a base two laterally spaced series of spacedresistance units, a laterally spaced contact strip for each resistanceunitand forming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones of saidresistance units of each'series having lineally spaced circuittakeolipoints, and movable circuit closer having means for bridging saidgaps.

11.- In a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood-lampsystems or the like, a base ,-two laterally spaced'series of spacedresistance'units, a laterally spaced contact strip for each'resistanceunit and forming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones of'saidresistance units of each series having lineally spaced-circuit takeoffpoints, a movablecircuit' closer having means for bridging said gaps,and an automatically reversible drive means for said circuit closer formovingsame back and forth along said series of resistance units andcontact strips.

12. In a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood-lamp systemsor the like, a base, two laterally spaced series of spaced resistanceunits, a laterally spaced contact strip for each resistanceunit andforming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones of saidresistanceunits of each series having lineally spaced circuit takeofi'points, amovable circuit closer having means for bridging said gaps, guide meansfor said circuit closer, and said'guide means providing a support forsaid resistance units.

13. In-a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood-lamp systemsor the like, a base, two laterally spaced series of spaced resistanceunits, a laterally spaced contact strip for each resistance unit andforming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones of saidresistance units of each series having lineallyspaced circuit takeofl?points, a movable circuit closer having means for bridging said gaps,guide means for said circuit closer, said guide means providing asupport forsaid resistance units, a driven shaft adjacent said guide andhaving an endless groove comprising opposed spiral flights, and a lugextending from said carrier and engaging in said groove.

14. In a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood-lamp systemsor the like, a base, two laterally spaced series of spaced resistanceunits, a laterally spaced contactstrip for each resistance unit andforming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones of saidresistance units of each series having lineally spaced circuit takeoffpoints, a movable circuit closer having means for bridging said gaps, amounting bar for the contact strips of each series of resistance units,and ears projecting from saidbase for supporting said mounting bars.

15.-In a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood lamp systemsor the like, a base, two laterally spaced series of spaced resistanceunits, a laterally spaced contact strip for each'resistance unit andforming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones o'l'saidresistance units-ofeach series having lineally spacedcircuit takeoffpoints, a movable circuit closer havingmeans for bridging said gaps, amounting bar for'the contact strips of each series of resistance units,ears projecting from said. base for supporting said mounting bars, andhollow lead wiresecuring and conduit-providing securing rivets for saidcontact strips extending through said mounting bars.

16. In a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood-lampsystemsor the like, a base, two laterally spaced series of spaced resistanceunits, a laterally spaced contact strip for each resistance unit andforming a circuit gap therebetween, cor-responding ones of saidresistance units of each series having lineally spacedcircuit takeofl'points, a movablecircuit closer having means for bridging said gaps, amounting bar for the contactstrips of each series of resistance units,ears projec'ting'from said base for supporting said mounting bars,hollow lead wire-securing and conduit-providing securing rivets for saidcontact strips extending through said mounting bars, lead wire guidesupon said base beneath said-mounting bars and certain of said ears beingopposed to one another and engaging the ends ofsaid'lead wire guides.

17.-In a multiple circ-uit'control device, a longitudinally arrangedsupport for a plurality of coiled resistance elements, a slidablecircuit closer traversingsaid resistance elements, guide means for thecircuit closer carried'by the support, contact elements corresponding inlength substantially to the traversable length of the resistanceelements by the circuit closer, and power driven means for imparting acontinuous reciprocating movement to said circuit closer along saidresistance and contact elements.

18. In a multiple circuit control device, a. longitudinally arrangedsupport for a plurality of coiled resistance elements, a slidablecircuit closer traversing said resistance elements, guide means for thecircuit closer carried by the support, contact elements corresponding inlength substantially to the traversable length of the resistanceelements by the circuit closer, and'a reversely threaded rotating memberhaving communicating grooves for imparting a reciprocatory traversingmovement to said circuit closer.

19. In a multiple circuit control device, a longitudinal arrangedsupport for a plurality of resistance elements, a slidable circuitcloser traversing said resistance elements,

guide means for the circuit closer carried by the support, contactelements traversable by the circuit closer, and a longitudinallydisposed uni-directionally rotatable element having means cooperatingtherewith for imparting a reciprocatory traversing movement to saidcircuit closer.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JAMES L. BROWN ELL.

